Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 G Master OSS Telephoto Lens

Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens Summary

Sony employed their most advanced technology to ensure the FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS provides class leading performance to professional users. The bright aperture lends itself to indoor and outdoor work which excels at low light particularly when coupled with the optical stabilisation system. Image quality is rendered in high resolution with sharpness apparent across the entire frame and soft out of focus bokeh is rendered by an 11-bladed round aperture.

Weighing in at just 2895g the 400mm f/2.8 GM is amongst the lightest lenses in its class although users will often opt for a monopod for extended shooting times. Apply a 1.4x or 2.0x teleconverter and you can also handhold at up to 800mm focal length on a full frame Sony camera.

Key features

• Outstanding G Master resolution and bokeh
• XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motor technology
• 5x improvement in tracking moving subjects
• Maximises performance from high-end Sony Mirrorless Camera Bodies when capturing dynamic sports or wildlife
• Spherical aberration is carefully controlled during design and manufacture to achieve optimum bokeh quality
• World's lightest in its class
• Dust and moisture resistant
• Durable magnesium alloy exterior
• Florine coating to wipe dirt and fingerprints away
• Tripod mount
• Manual focus override by using focus ring even when shooting in AF-C mode
• New Mode ‘3' provides optimum stabilisation for dynamic sports action
• Four focus hold buttons and a focus ring with Linear Response MF further enhance versatility

Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens features in detail

• Mount: Sony E-mount
• Format: 35mm Full Frame
• Focal-length (mm): 400
• 35Mm Equivalent Focal-length (APS-C): 600
• Lens Groups / Elements: 17-23 *Including One Filter
• Angle Of View (35mm): 6°10'
• Angle Of View (APS-C: 4°10'1
• Maximum Aperture (F): 2.8
• Minimum Aperture (F): 22
• Aperture Blades: 11
• Circular Aperture: Yes
• Minimum Focus Distance: 2.7 M (8.86 Ft)
• Maximum Magnification Ratio (X): 0.16
• Filter Diameter (Mm): 40.5 (Slot-in)
• Image Stabilisation (Steadyshot): Optical Steadyshot
• Teleconverter Compatibility (X1.4): SSEL14Tc
• Teleconverter Compatibility (X2.0): SEL20Tc
• Hood Type: Round Shape

Full Details

Innovative G Master F2.8 super telephoto

Sony’s most advanced lens technologies have been unsparingly applied in this large-aperture super telephoto lens achieving extraordinary speed outstanding G Master resolution and bokeh plus professional control and reliability. Moreover the SEL400F28GM is the lightest super telephoto lens in its class1 providing unparalleled handheld shooting freedom.

Speed that maximises body performance

New XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors deliver higher thrust than conventional types achieving up to a 5x improvement2 in moving-subject tracking performance with current and future camera bodies. Two of these new motors and newly developed algorithms quietly drive the lens’s large focus lens group faster and more precisely than ever before. The full speed performance of advanced camera bodies can be applied to capturing dynamic sports or wildlife subjects.

Stunning G Master resolution and bokeh

Extremely high design standards ensure outstanding resolution right out to the image edges. Three fluorite elements minimise chromatic aberration. Spherical aberration is carefully controlled during design and manufacture to achieve the highest possible bokeh quality. Optional high-performance 1.4x and 2.0x tele-converters are supported3 providing outstanding resolution and contrast even at 800mm.

The world's lightest at just 2895 grams (102.2 ounces)

An innovative optical design that includes three fluorite elements reduces the number of elements at the front of the lens barrel for a low weight of 2895 grams (102.2 ounces). Durable magnesium alloy components also contribute to reduced weight. Portability and handling are outstanding and ideal balance affords agile easy operation whether shooting handheld or on a monopod.

Durability and reliability for challenging conditions

Dust and moisture resistant design4 provides the reliability needed for outdoor use in harsh conditions. A durable magnesium alloy used for the lens barrel exterior tripod mount and interior barrel components achieves tough durability while minimising overall weight. The front lens element features a fluorine coating that helps to keep it clean while making it easier to wipe dirt and fingerprints away.

Features for professional shooting needs

Full-time DMF allows manual focus to be engaged simply by rotating the focus ring even while shooting in AF-C mode. Optical image stabilisation is built-in and a new Mode 35 setting features an advanced algorithm that provides optimum stabilisation for dynamic sports action while also making framing easier. Four focus hold buttons and a focus ring with Linear Response MF further enhance versatility.

Lens Configuration

G Master series lenses take imaging and expression to previously unattainable levels with a stunning blend of extremely high resolution and softly dissolving background bokeh

[1] Fluorite lens [2] ED glass

MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) describes how well a lens can reproduce fine details measured as the degree of contrast achieved between finely spaced lines.

[1] Contrast (%) [2] Distance from optical centre of lens (mm) [3] Max. aperture [4] F8 aperture [5] Spatial frequency [6] 10 line pairs / mm [7] 30 line pairs / mm [8] R: Radial values T: Tangential values

Lens Controls

1. Focusing ring / 2. Function ring / 3. Tripod collar ring / 4. Focus-hold button / 5. Drop in filter holder / 6. Strap eyelet / 7. Tripod collar ring-clicking select switch / 8. Security slot (able to attach a security wire)

Lens Controls

1. Focus-mode switch / 2. Full-time DMF switch / 3. Focus-range limiter / 4. Function ring select switch / 5. SET button / 6. Shake compensation switch / 7. Shake compensation mode switch/ 8. BEEP switch